By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on his 63rd birthday, describing him as one of the top-performing members of his cabinet.

Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, turned 63 on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the minister for his commitment to infrastructure development and his approach to supervising road projects across the country.

The President described Umahi as “one of my outstanding, hardworking ministers” and said the former Ebonyi governor remains committed to delivering quality infrastructure.

Tinubu also said the minister is “passionate about the job and delivering durable roads and bridges that will last for about a century”.

The President commended Umahi’s “passion, dedication to duty, and deep sense of patriotism.”

He also urged the minister to sustain the pace of road construction, rehabilitation and project delivery in line with his administration’s plan to improve the quality of life of Nigerians and stimulate economic growth.

“As a minister, he does not just sit in his office or rely on reports from subordinates; he is constantly on the road, personally monitoring construction work nationwide to ensure compliance with specifications and approvals,” Tinubu said.

The President congratulated Umahi and his family on the occasion and wished him good health and renewed strength “as he continues to serve the nation”.

Before his appointment as Minister of Works, Umahi represented Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the Senate. He also served as governor of Ebonyi State for two terms from 2015 to 2023.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed terrorists stormed the residence of Bungudu Local Government Chairman Honourable Nura Umar Abdullahi in the early hours of Saturday, abducting him and several family members after overwhelming his security detail, military authorities have confirmed.

Troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to distress calls and immediately engaged the assailants in a hot pursuit, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire that forced the attackers to abandon five of the Chairman’s relatives, including his mother, wife, two children, and other family members, who were successfully rescued.

However, the terrorists managed to escape with Abdullahi into the surrounding bushes, according to Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West).

The attack claimed the lives of two police officers and one local vigilante who were part of the Chairman’s security detail, all of whom “gallantly resisted the attackers,” Danja said. A civilian was also killed, while the Chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries during the assault.

The Theatre Command has since activated a coordinated search and rescue operation involving troops, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes. Security forces are currently conducting deliberate operations at suspected terrorist hideouts in a bid to secure the Chairman’s safe release.

“The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies,” Danja said. “The Theatre Command assures the Government and people of Zamfara State that every lawful and operational measure is being taken to achieve a successful outcome.”

The military appealed to the public to remain calm and provide credible information that may assist ongoing efforts, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property.

Zamfara has been plagued by banditry and terrorist activities in recent years, with local government officials frequently targeted in kidnapping-for-ransom attacks. The abduction underscores the persistent security challenges facing the North-Western region despite intensified military operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State Police Command has returned Toyota Highlander SUV to its rightful owner after recovering the vehicle almost five years after it was stolen in Rivers State.

The command handed the vehicle to Mrs Cecilia Duru of Port Harcourt on Friday after operatives of the State Intelligence Department concluded investigations that confirmed her ownership.

Police said the SUV was recovered on June 8, 2026, during a joint operation by the State Intelligence Department and the Federal Road Safety Corps at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Vehicle Licensing Office.

According to the command, officials intercepted the vehicle during a routine verification of vehicle records while it was undergoing re-registration.

Investigators established that the Toyota Highlander was stolen from Mrs Duru in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 17, 2021.

“The investigation established that the vehicle belongs to Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Further findings revealed that after it was stolen, the vehicle was taken to the Republic of Niger in 2023.

“It later re-entered Nigeria through Illela, Sokoto State, in October 2025, before it was sold in Kaduna State and eventually brought to Gombe for re-registration, where it was intercepted,” the police stated.

The command said efforts to determine those responsible for the theft and the movement of the vehicle across several locations are still in progress.

“While efforts continue to unravel those behind the theft and illegal movement of the vehicle, the command is pleased to hand over the recovered Toyota Highlander to its rightful owner today, July 24, 2026,” the police said.

The police also reaffirmed their resolve to tackle vehicle theft and other forms of organised crime through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with relevant security agencies.

The command advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of vehicle documents before buying used vehicles. It also urged residents to report suspicious vehicle transactions to security agencies promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency for invoking China in its response to him, describing the move as a “monumental own goal” that has only intensified scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency’s attempt to compare his record with China’s legal standards had backfired.

According to him, it was contradictory for the Presidency to celebrate what he described as a routine diplomatic response from the United States government while introducing China into the debate without considering the implications.

Shaibu argued that the Presidency’s spokesman had unintentionally subjected President Tinubu to the same standards he sought to apply to Atiku.

“It takes a peculiar kind of unintelligence for a spokesman to set out to drag an opponent before a hypothetical Chinese court, only to end up dragging his own principal into the dock,” the statement read.

The statement noted that China imposes severe penalties for serious drug trafficking offences, including capital punishment, adding that Atiku had never been indicted or convicted of corruption, drug-related offences or any criminal offence in Nigeria or abroad.

It maintained that if China was to become the benchmark for public accountability, Nigerians were equally entitled to question the implications of the 1993 civil forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States government in a case involving allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering linked to Tinubu.

The former vice president further argued that China’s justice system is also known for its strict handling of corruption and abuse of public office.

According to the statement, practices such as approving a national budget allegedly tainted by padding and questionable appropriations, ignoring allegations involving senior government officials, or presiding over worsening economic hardship would not be tolerated under China’s governance standards.

Atiku said the Presidency’s argument had collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions, insisting that invoking China had only encouraged Nigerians to apply the same standards to President Tinubu.

He also faulted the Presidency for portraying the United States government’s response to diplomatic correspondence as evidence of innocence, stressing that such communication does not amount to a judicial acquittal or erase historical records.

The statement urged the Tinubu administration to focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, rising hunger and what it described as institutional decline instead of engaging in political distractions.

Atiku also called on the Presidency to improve the quality of its public communication, arguing that while propaganda may dominate public discourse temporarily, facts would ultimately prevail.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed bandits have abducted the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Nura Umar Bungudu, in a daring raid on his residence in Zamfara State, security sources confirmed Saturday.

The attack occurred late Friday night when heavily armed gunmen infiltrated Bungudu town and went directly to the chairman’s home in the Zango district. The assailants also kidnapped a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau and a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in the area.

Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the operation resulted in multiple fatalities, including police officers and local vigilantes who attempted to repel the attackers.

Zamfara State, located in northwestern Nigeria, has been plagued by persistent banditry and kidnapping for years. The security crisis has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, with rural communities bearing the brunt of frequent attacks.

Local residents described the incident as one of the most brazen assaults in recent months, noting that the chairman had been a target of previous threats. The kidnappers have yet to issue any demands.

A security task force has been deployed to track the gunmen, though no arrests have been made. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The kidnapping highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region, where armed groups continue to operate with impunity despite repeated government pledges to restore order.

Dr Auwal Adam Sa’ad

Northern Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its humanitarian and development history. Years of insurgency, armed conflict, banditry, communal violence, and environmental shocks have displaced millions of people from their homes. Women and children bear the greatest burden of this crisis. Many now live in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps or host communities where access to education, healthcare, housing, livelihoods, and economic opportunities remains severely constrained.

For years, humanitarian agencies, governments, charitable organisations, and development partners have provided emergency assistance that has undoubtedly saved lives. Food distribution, temporary shelter, healthcare interventions, and emergency education programmes have prevented an even greater catastrophe.

Yet an uncomfortable reality remains: emergency aid cannot become a permanent development strategy.

Humanitarian assistance addresses immediate needs but seldom creates enduring economic resilience. Once donor funding ends, many beneficiaries remain trapped in poverty and dependence. The cycle of vulnerability simply begins again.

Northern Nigeria therefore requires a financing model that moves beyond relief towards sustainable empowerment. One promising solution lies within the rich heritage of Islamic social finance: the integration of Waqf and Sukuk into a single development instrument known as Waqf Sukuk.

For centuries, Waqf has served as one of Islam’s most powerful institutions for public welfare. Across the Muslim world, endowed assets financed universities, hospitals, roads, water systems, orphanages, and social services that continued serving communities long after their founders had passed away. Waqf created permanent social infrastructure because its assets remained intact while only their benefits were utilised.

Sukuk, meanwhile, have become one of the fastest-growing segments of global Islamic finance. Unlike conventional bonds, Sukuk represent ownership interests in tangible assets or productive ventures that comply with Shariah principles. Today, governments and corporations worldwide use Sukuk to finance infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, housing, healthcare, and industrial development.

Sukuk, meanwhile, have become one of the fastest-growing segments of global Islamic finance. Unlike conventional bonds, Sukuk represent ownership interests in tangible assets or productive ventures that comply with Shariah principles. Today, governments and corporations worldwide use Sukuk to finance infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, housing, healthcare, and industrial development. Nigeria’s own experience demonstrates the remarkable market confidence in this ethical financing instrument.

The Federal Government’s Series VII Sovereign Sukuk recorded an unprecedented subscription of over ₦2.205 trillion—an oversubscription of approximately 735 per cent—underscoring the enormous investor appetite for transparent, asset-backed, and socially impactful investments. The combination of this strong investor demand with the enduring social mission of Waqf creates an extraordinary opportunity. The combination of these two institutions creates an extraordinary opportunity.

A Waqf Sukuk mobilises investment capital to establish productive assets that are permanently dedicated to charitable purposes. Instead of distributing donated funds until they are exhausted, the proceeds finance income-generating projects whose revenues continuously support vulnerable populations.For Northern Nigeria, this could fundamentally reshape humanitarian financing.

Rather than repeatedly financing food distribution, Waqf Sukuk could establish agricultural processing facilities owned by Waqf institutions that employ displaced women while generating revenues for education and healthcare programmes.

Instead of constructing temporary shelters that require constant maintenance funding, Waqf Sukuk could finance affordable housing developments whose rental income supports social services.

Vocational training centres, healthcare clinics, women-owned cooperatives, renewable energy projects, irrigation schemes, commercial markets, educational institutions, and microfinance programmes could all become endowed assets whose earnings are perpetually reinvested into community development.This is not charity that ends with consumption.It is charity that continuously reproduces itself.And the economic implications are profound.

Every naira invested through Waqf Sukuk becomes a productive asset capable of generating recurring benefits for decades. Beneficiaries are no longer viewed merely as recipients of aid but as active participants in economic production. Skills development replaces dependency. Enterprise replaces vulnerability. Opportunity replaces uncertainty.

This model also reflects the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Shariah). It protects life by improving healthcare and food security. It preserves intellect through education and vocational training. It safeguards wealth by creating sustainable livelihoods. It protects families through decent housing and social welfare. Above all, it restores human dignity by enabling displaced persons to rebuild their own futures.

The relevance of Waqf Sukuk extends beyond religious ideals. It strongly complements the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and partnerships for development.Its appeal therefore reaches multiple stakeholders.

For Northern Nigerian society, Waqf Sukuk revives a deeply respected Islamic tradition of community solidarity while adapting it to contemporary development challenges. It demonstrates that Islamic finance is not merely a commercial enterprise but also a powerful instrument for inclusive social transformation.

For wealthy individuals and philanthropists, Waqf Sukuk offers an opportunity to create perpetual charitable impact rather than one-time donations. Their contributions become lasting investments in human development that continue generating rewards both socially and spiritually.

For corporations, participation strengthens corporate social responsibility and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Supporting Waqf Sukuk enables businesses to contribute directly to regional stability, workforce development, poverty reduction, and economic inclusion while enhancing their public reputation as responsible corporate citizens.

For investors, Waqf Sukuk represents an ethical investment vehicle backed by tangible assets and measurable social outcomes. The growing global demand for impact investing suggests considerable interest among investors seeking opportunities that combine financial discipline with meaningful developmental impact.

International development partners should likewise recognise the strategic importance of this model. Around the world, humanitarian agencies increasingly acknowledge that aid dependency cannot continue indefinitely. Innovative financing mechanisms are becoming central to sustainable development policy.

Waqf Sukuk offers exactly such an innovation. It complements humanitarian programmes rather than replacing them. Emergency assistance remains indispensable during crises, but Waqf Sukuk creates the permanent institutions that reduce dependence on future aid by building local economic capacity.

Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Türkiye, and several Gulf states have already demonstrated the growing potential of integrating Islamic social finance with national development priorities. Nigeria possesses every ingredient necessary to become Africa’s leading centre for socially oriented Islamic finance.

However, successful implementation requires robust policy support. Federal and state governments should establish comprehensive legal frameworks governing Waqf assets, Sukuk issuance, governance standards, transparency, beneficiary protection, auditing, and performance reporting. Regulatory certainty will significantly improve investor confidence.

Tax incentives can encourage private participation. Public-private partnerships can leverage government support with private investment. Islamic financial institutions should develop specialised Waqf Sukuk products tailored to humanitarian and development objectives. Universities and research institutions should contribute through policy research, professional training, and impact assessment. Traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society organisations should mobilise public awareness to build trust and acceptance.

Development finance institutions and multilateral organisations can further strengthen the ecosystem through technical assistance, credit enhancement mechanisms, capacity building, and co-financing arrangements.The humanitarian crisis in Northern Nigeria demands solutions that are as enduring as the challenges themselves.

Emergency aid will always have an important place during periods of crisis. But rebuilding societies requires more than relief. It requires institutions that continuously generate hope, opportunity, and economic independence.

Waqf Sukuk represents precisely such an institution. It transforms generosity into productive capital, compassion into sustainable investment, and charity into perpetual empowerment. It reflects both the ethical foundations of Islamic finance and the practical realities of modern development economics.

The displaced women and children of Northern Nigeria deserve more than temporary survival. They deserve access to education, productive employment, dignified housing, quality healthcare, entrepreneurship, and the opportunity to shape their own futures.

Waqf Sukuk offers a pathway towards that future. Its widespread adoption by governments, corporations, investors, philanthropic organisations, Islamic financial institutions, and international development partners could redefine humanitarian financing in Nigeria and establish a model worthy of replication across Africa.

The question is no longer whether we can afford to innovate.It is whether we can afford not to.

Auwal is an associate professor at the Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, IIUM. He can be reached via: auwal@iium.edu.my.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 23 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly been killed in separate military air operations carried out in Borno State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication that reports on counter-insurgency activities in the Lake Chad region, the first operation took place at about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday in the KLA Balia area of Marte Local Government Area after intelligence indicated the presence of suspected terrorists.

The publication reported that an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed “Guardian,” detected three vehicles concealed at different locations before identifying five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

It stated that after the targets were positively identified, the drone launched a precision strike that killed the five visible suspects. The strike also triggered secondary explosions, which increased the estimated death toll to 15.

Zagazola Makama added that another strike intended to destroy the concealed vehicles did not succeed after a malfunction in the laser targeting system prevented accurate target designation.

Despite the technical setback, military sources quoted by the publication described the mission as successful. They said the operation inflicted significant casualties on the insurgents and disrupted their activities.

The publication also reported that surveillance of the area is continuing, while additional operations are expected to target surviving fighters and destroy the remaining vehicles.

In another operation, the publication said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI killed eight suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat mission along the Bama-Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the report, the helicopter crew noticed muzzle flashes from a location that had previously been identified as an insurgent training ground. The crew then fired probing shots to confirm the presence of the suspected terrorists.

The report stated that the insurgents responded by opening fire on the aircraft. The military then carried out sustained aerial strikes that reportedly killed eight suspected fighters, while others escaped into nearby bushes.

The publication said the operation formed part of ongoing air offensives aimed at disrupting insurgent movements, dismantling training camps and improving security along strategic supply routes across the North-East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has accused the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of leaving behind unresolved pension liabilities after serving as Nigeria’s vice president.

Tinubu made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Association and North-East stakeholders who gathered to support the renomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The president alleged that Atiku oversaw the privatisation of government investments during his time in office but failed to ensure that pension obligations were settled.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu reflected on his professional experience in the United States before addressing Nigeria’s current challenges.

“There is nowhere like home. I have experienced being in America and have taken the best of America in my chosen profession, accountancy and finance. Where can I apply it best after initial training with Deloitte & Touche, I can’t forget the standard oil building in Chicago and my first week there.

“The leadership of the Northeast is challenged because of terrorism and banditry, I could see a collaboration that would work together. Only we stick together, work together, and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country.

“The olden age is here now if you can stabilize the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much, simple stability and social welfare, if I can go political, somebody among my prospective opponents privatized government investment in public entities but forgot to pay the pension. I’m clearing the pensioners now, so clearing the mess they created.”

Tinubu’s comments add to the growing exchange of political attacks between the president and Atiku ahead of the 2027 general election. Neither Atiku nor the ADC had issued an immediate response to the latest remarks at the time of filing this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has warned Russia and China against providing military assistance to Iran, saying such a move would not be in the interests of either country.

Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that their governments were neither supplying weapons to Tehran nor taking part in the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

According to the U.S. president, it would be “certainly not in their best interests” for either Russia or China to arm Iran.

His comments followed earlier Western intelligence reports that alleged Russia had supplied Iran with drones, food and medical supplies. China was also reported to have been considering the delivery of air defence systems to Tehran.

In a post on social media, Trump said Xi had given him assurances during their recent meeting in Beijing that China would not provide military equipment to Iran.

He said the Chinese leader told him that Beijing would not sell or transfer weapons to the Islamic Republic under any circumstances.

Trump also said Putin made a similar commitment despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. According to him, the Russian president stated that Moscow would not sell weapons to Iran.

The U.S. leader expressed confidence that neither country was currently providing military support to Tehran. He, however, cautioned that any reversal of that position would have serious consequences.

Trump added that although Russia and China are often linked to discussions about Iran, he did not believe either country was backing Tehran militarily because doing so would not serve their interests.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Iran has executed more than 100 people over the past month, including three women. The development has drawn fresh concern from human rights organisations, which said repression in the country has intensified.

The reports said Iranian authorities resumed executions several weeks after hostilities with the United States and Israel began in March. The executions were reportedly part of efforts to suppress anti-government protests.

More than 50 people have also reportedly lost their lives over their participation in the demonstrations, which observers described as the largest wave of unrest since Iran’s Islamic leadership assumed power in 1979.

Analysts have warned that the number of executions could increase further following the collapse of efforts to secure a ceasefire.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A suspected bandit attack on Makoda town in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State has left one person dead and two others injured, according to security sources.

Security analyst Bakatsine disclosed the incident in a post on X on Friday. He said the attack took place on Thursday night after more than 30 armed men stormed the community on motorcycles.

The attackers reportedly fired repeatedly, which forced residents to flee for safety. They also escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after carrying out the assault.

Bakatsine said residents described the assailants as heavily armed. The attack caused panic across the community before the gunmen fled.

He wrote: “Last night, suspected bandits launched an attack on Makoda town, Makoda LGA in Kano State, killing one person, injuring two others and reportedly fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“Residents said more than 30 heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately and left the community in panic before escaping. If armed groups can now strike communities in Kano with such ease, what does that say about the country’s ability to prevent insecurity from spreading even further?”